You know how you use your iPod and it can give you 14 hours of non-stop playtime when you first buy it? After a year or two though, the iPod can barely provide you with 5 hours of use. Better care and knowing what affects battery capacity is the key to prolonging battery life. Here’s how to care for your iPod battery in order to keep battery capacity lasting for a longer period of time.

1. Unplug the iPod from the computer when you’re not using it. Having it plugged into the computer creates a large amount of heat within the device. Heat is the enemy for battery capacity.
2. Store the iPod in a cool area. Never leave it in a hot car, which I see is common for iPod users that use the device in their cars. The cooler the battery is, the longer the battery will keep it’s capacity.

3. Keep your iPod in a well ventilated spot when you are using it. Keeping it too close to your body tends to warm the battery up more, reducing battery life. Some of the cases I’ve seen trap heat also. If you use a case, be sure to use one that allows for some air flow.

4. Discharging the iPod at a high rate can can cause the battery to lose capacity. Try not to attach too many devices and play with the buttons for too long. Turning off the backlight can help reduce battery discharge.